“A week ago, a reporter for the Indianapolis Chronicle wrote that Las Vegas is a city consumed by greed, competition, and fueled almost entirely by the sex industry. Are you telling me that’s a lie?” he asked, a suspicious look clouding his features.
“Vegas is a sexy city. What can I say?”
Her sly grin incited a chuckle from Marshall.
“As for the pollution, crime and poverty, it’s no worse than anywhere else. I’ve traveled a lot and I’ve learned to appreciate the good and the bad. Poverty is everywhere, even in wealthy countries like Norway, Switzerland and Japan. It’s just better hidden.”
“I never really looked at it that way,” he confessed.
“Most people don’t.”
“But I should know better. I was stationed in Kuwait for years, and a lot of Kuwaitis have a self-righteous attitude. Prostitution, drugs and crime happen everywhere else but in their own backyard.” He stared down at her, the expression on his face one of appreciation. “Thanks for the reality check.”
“Anytime,” she told him. “Now quit trailing me and we’ll be cool.”
They laughed together.
“What’s so funny?”
Marshall pulled his eyes away from Sage and gave Khari a smile. “Nothing. Stay out of grown folk’s business.” His tone was light, but there was no mistaking the underlying meaning. “You finished your laps already?”
“I sure am,” Khari said, dousing his face with water. His gaze slid to his father’s companion. “I remember you. You’re the World Mission lady, right?”
“That’s me.” Sage waved at Khari, suddenly envious of the relationship he had with his dad. As a teen, she’d desperately needed a mentor to help her navigate the treacherous waters of high school. But there had been no one to check her homework, or talk to about her problems, and she had secretly longed for a father’s love. She had to settle for her foster mother’s.
“Dad, we should go.” Khari approached the Jeep truck, opened the passenger door and slid inside. “Coach will bench me for tomorrow’s game if I’m late for practice.”
Marshall wasn’t ready to leave. He wanted to continue talking to Sage. “It’s times like this that I wish you had your license.”
“I could have gotten it last year, but you said I wasn’t ready,” Khari shot back, a smug smile playing on his lips. “If I could drive, you wouldn’t have to chauffeur me around and you’d have more time to do other things.”
Sage pointed at the school. “Don’t you practice here?”
“We did, until scouts and reporters started showing up. The cameras were distracting, so Coach arranged for the team to practice somewhere private.”
“Your son’s an incredible basketball player. He’s bound to attract attention.”
Khari poked his head out the window. “You’ve seen me play?”
“Who isn’t a Khari Grant fan in this town?” she replied good-naturedly. “You’ve captured the heart of the entire city!”
“I’m the man, huh?” he joked with a chuckle. “I’m going to go all the way, World Mission lady. I’m going to make it to the pros!”
Her laughter was cut short by the sharpness of Marshall’s tone.
“Basketball’s a team sport, Khari. It’s not about you. And you’re certainly not the man.” Khari started to apologize, but Marshall withered him with a look. “How do you think your teammates would feel if they heard you say that? If you want the spotlight to yourself, go play golf.”
Lowering his head, Khari sank down into the passenger seat. He tugged at his seat belt, clicked it into place and stared out the windshield.
Marshall turned back to Sage. “Sorry about that.”
“I’m sure Khari didn’t mean anything by it. He was only—”
“We have to get going,” he said, interrupting. “I guess I’ll see you around.” Face pinched in anger, he strode toward the Jeep SUV and flung open the driver’s side door. Seconds later, when the battered SUV disappeared in the thick stream of morning traffic, Sage knew her mission was in serious trouble.
Chapter 5
“I need more time.” Sage stared at her boss, who was visible on her laptop computer. She would have preferred talking to Leo on the phone, but he had insisted on having a videoconference.
“Did you hear me, Leo? I said I need more time.” Climbing Mount Everest would be easier than gauging her boss’s mood. She couldn’t read the expression on his face and if his eyes weren’t open, she’d swear he was sleeping.
“I heard you, and the answer is no.”
Her eyes strayed to the window. It was the first time she’d seen the sun since arriving almost a week ago, but Sage wasn’t fooled by its splendor. The wind raged against the hotel and icicles dangled from the balcony railing. “I was employee of the month three times last year! Trust me, Leo. I can do this.”
“Sure you can.”
“Are you forgetting that I lured Devin Skye away from In the Know Management? She had a successful run on that Nickelodeon show.”
“That’s old news. You signed her how many years ago? In the prophetic words of Janet Jackson, what have you done for me lately?”
Sage could hear snickering in the background and knew their intimate videoconference for two wasn’t so private. Nine years as a celebrity manager was ancient by Hollywood standards and although most of her clients were pubescent, law-abiding teens, Sage was ready to take her career to the next level. Starting now. Annoyed that she didn’t have her boss’s full attention, she said, “If you’re too busy to talk, we can do this another time. I just hope someone else doesn’t sign Khari while we’re sitting back twiddling our thumbs.”
The mention of Khari’s name brought Leo’s gaze into focus.
“I can persuade Marshall to sign with us. I just need another week. Two max.”
“I knew you couldn’t do it.” Leo shook his head, the disappointment in his eyes piercing her soul. “I applaud your efforts, Sage. I really do, but your time is up.”
His words mocked her, momentarily weakening her resolve, but she rebounded before frustration set in. “Marshall’s warming up to me. I’ve made a lot of progress in the last six days. In fact, he…” Sage racked her brain for something, anything that would impress her boss. “He’s taking me out for dinner tonight.”
“It’s time for you to step aside and let me take the reins. I’m going to square his debts, buy him a Porsche and see to it that he never has to work again. That’ll bring him around.”
She shook her head. “Money isn’t the right angle, Leo. Marshall Grant can’t be bought.”
“Everyone has a price, Sage. Everyone.”
There was an exception to every rule and Marshall Grant was it. Integrity was at the heart of who he was and he’d rather do without than break the rules. “His place is real nice. It’s small, but cozy and he has all new furniture.”
“You’ve been inside their house?”
Detecting